In Lily's Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff, Lily is ready for summer of her life! She is on her way to Rockaway, her favorite summer getaway. This summer, however, will be nothing like what she expected. It's World War II and everything is different. First, her best friend, Margaret, moves away because her family needs to help the war effort in a factory town. Then, Lily's father is called overseas and Lily is going to be stuck all summer with Gram. Then something happens--a boy with darker skin and sparkling eyes moves in down the street and Lily wants to know why--maybe he's a spy! Albert is a refugee from Hungary who just wants to go home and reunite with his little sister. These two form a special friendship, complete with secrets, lies, risks, and love, that puts their lives in grave danger.Giff, P. R. (1999). Lily's Crossing. New York: Yearling Books.
1998 Newbery Honor Book
ALA Notable Children's Book
Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book
Before Reading: Talk about the background of World War II in America. How do you think the war affected the American people? What was it like growing up during wartime?
Since this book is set right after D-Day, have student reserach D-Day and what it meant for America.
During Reading: Discuss friendship and what makes a good friend. Have students write a 'Character Recipe' in which they descibe the 'key ingrediants' to a good friend. Family and Guilt are two other themes that can be touched upon during reading; ask students to examine Gram and Lily's relationship. Why is their relationship strained?
After Reading: Compare Lily's friendship with Margaret with her frienship with Albert. What makes them different? What is each friendship based on?
Explore the lives of other children of the War, examine their lives with Lily.
Writing: Have students write a letter as if they were Lily to her father. What woud you say? Would you say goodbye? Be sure to include at what point in the summer the letter was written--right after her father left or later in the summer when she knows where he is located. Her voice is very different between the two times.
Teacher Resources:
Random House Guide to Lily's Crossing'
Classroom Ideas
Interviews on World War II
1998 Newbery Honor Book
ALA Notable Children's Book
Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book
Before Reading: Talk about the background of World War II in America. How do you think the war affected the American people? What was it like growing up during wartime?
Since this book is set right after D-Day, have student reserach D-Day and what it meant for America.
During Reading: Discuss friendship and what makes a good friend. Have students write a 'Character Recipe' in which they descibe the 'key ingrediants' to a good friend. Family and Guilt are two other themes that can be touched upon during reading; ask students to examine Gram and Lily's relationship. Why is their relationship strained?
After Reading: Compare Lily's friendship with Margaret with her frienship with Albert. What makes them different? What is each friendship based on?
Explore the lives of other children of the War, examine their lives with Lily.
Writing: Have students write a letter as if they were Lily to her father. What woud you say? Would you say goodbye? Be sure to include at what point in the summer the letter was written--right after her father left or later in the summer when she knows where he is located. Her voice is very different between the two times.
Teacher Resources:
Random House Guide to Lily's Crossing'
Classroom Ideas
Interviews on World War II
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